Rootstock-dependent response of amino acid and anthocyanin composition in grenache grapes to elevated temperature

Abstract

Adaptation of viticulture to future climate scenarios includes the exploration of grapevine (Vitis spp.) rootstock varieties. The aim of this experiment was to assess the influence of the rootstock genotype on berry and wine composition under rising temperature. Grenache vines were grafted onto four rootstocks (from lower to higher vigor: 420A, Fercal, 110R and 140Ru), and grew well watered under either ambient or elevated temperature (+4ºC) in temperature gradient greenhouses. Temperature tended to shorten the time to reach maturity except for 140Ru. Musts from elevated temperature also had lower acidity across all rootstocks despite being picked at the same soluble solids level. A higher δ¹³C in must of 420A suggests these plants underwent a higher stress level despite being well watered on a daily basis. Berries from 110R had the highest total amino acid and YAN content. There was a general decrease in total amino acids with elevated temperature, coupled with a decrease in the relative abundance of glutamine. Wine anthocyanin content tended to decrease with temperature, with the exception of 420A, which presented high levels of anthocyanins even under elevated temperature. Rootstock selection attenuated to some extent the impact of elevated temperature on amino acid composition (case of Fercal) and anthocyanins (420A). Although Fercal and 420A have a well-known higher sensitivity to drought, their lower vigour could be leveraged into a higher water use efficiency.

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Acknowledgements

Thanks to Héctor Santesteban, Amadeo Urdiáin, Mónica Oyarzun, Carlos Guembe and Julen Muguiro for their technical support. This study was funded by “Plan de Recuperación, Transformación y Resiliencia (Unión Europea-NextGenerationEU, EATEX Food Hub, CLIMAVITIS project), “ANDIA talento senior 2021” and MRR Investigo program (Gobierno de Navarra) and Asociación de Amigos de la Universidad de Navarra (ADA) PhD grant.